The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-07-15

1t requested information IN regard
| to the whereabouts of Mr.. Cecil Finch,
an English gentleman who was suppos-
ed to be in the United States at that
time. Mr.. Madison repl ed with polite
brevity that he had never had the pleas
ure of knowing any one of that name.
There he thought the matter would
rest. But by return OF post came
another letter, which intimated that
the Legation could not take Mr.. Madi-
SON S reply as final, for Cecil Finch had
been seen going in and out of Mr..
MadiSon'S house in New York.
MIR. Madison was by this time rather
curious, and not little indignant. He
was not accustomed to having his
word doubted.
He therefore wrote back somewhat
sharply to the effect that the only
EngliShman who came and went in his
household in the manner described was
his butler, John Parkins.
Upon my word,' he said that night
at dinner to his wife and sster-in-law,
Il am tired of Mr.. Cecil Finch without
ever having seen him. The doggcd
pertinacity of the English diplomats
does them credit
Parkins, who was handing a dish of
sweets at the moment, started so vjO-
lcntly that the dish almost slipped
from his fingers.
This did not escape Mr.. Madison, but
be said nothing.
Afterwards, however, he remarked
to his wife, If am not mistaken, Par
kins knows something about Mr. Cecil
Finch"
In day or two third letter bearing
the Washington post-mark arrived for
Mr.. Madison. 1t said, Strange as it
may appear, we should be glad if you
would interrogate the man whom you
call John Parkins as to the where
abouts of Mr.. Finch. Tell him that
your reason for asking is that Cecil
Finch has come into a title and a fortune
by the unexpected death of his uncle"
Mr.. Madison was now thoroughly
excited. What if his butler were the
new lord in masquerade? He laughed
to himself as he pictured the face of
his wife and sister when hey should
hear the news.
1t so happened that this last letter
from the Legation had been sent to Mr.
MadisOn's house, and it was there tina
he read it. His wife was out with
Sylvia.
His decision was quickly formed. He
touched the bell. Parkins appeared,
calm and correct as he was in his best
moment when there was nothing to
disconcert him.
apo rLi,,c ~ cold I,;S y,,ootar GL1i1 -o,,
ever happen to hear of an English
gentleman called Cecil Finch?"
Yes, sir" said the butler. 81 think
l have heard you mention his name,
sir, at dinner, night or two ago"
Have you ever seen him ?''
''Yes, sir, Wyoming. SIR"
ut would be a good thing for him.
Parkins," said Mr.. Madison, careless
ly, IF you could find him."
How so, sir ?' asked the young
man, changing his color a little.
He has just come into his uncle's
title and estate; and he can't be
found
"By Jove! Is Lord Grimsmead
dead ?" cried the butler, in a voice
very different from his usual guarded
one.
Before he had time to pull himself
together and apologize, Mr.. Madison
pounced upon him.
Look here, Mr.. Finch - he said,
quite sternly, 'you are no butler
Your name isn't Parkins Why did
you lie to me ?''
mo, Mr.. Madison" said the man,
Il am not a butler, and my name isn't
Parkins, and lie is not word to use
among gentlemen r
"But, hang it. Parkins. Finch.
whatever you arc, can't realize quite
vet that you are not what / thought
you five minutes ago. And I think I
have perfect right to know why you
have imposed on me in this way, said
Mr.. Madison, still irate.
"Of course you have,n said Mr..
Finch, late John Parkins. "The story
is simply this. was pretty we'll down
on my luck after having tried ranching
and failed, as many cleyerer man
than am has done before. I was too
proud to 90 home. There was no one
Of whom could borrow, and / hadn't
penny. / saw your advertisement in
the paper, and applied for the situa-
ton. j hadn't an idea that you'd take
me, but was touched by your conf
dence, Mr. Madison, and I've done the
very best / could for you. / remem-
bered the old butler at home, and /
tried TO model myself on him.
THE other night you thought, no
doubt, that / was drunk. l wasn't;
but the man who sat next to Mrs. Mad
iscn was fellow who knew me well at
Oxford, ten years ago
Both ssscn had been standing while
they talked. Madison read candor and
integrity in the handsome face Of the